Remote fire extinguisher station inspection

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/504,315, filed Jul. 16, 2009.

The '315 application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/533,581, filed Sep. 20, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,574,911); which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/899,917, filed Jul. 26,2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,783), which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/782,288, filed Feb. 19, 2004 (now U.S. Pat.No. 7,174,769); which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/274,606, filed Oct. 21, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,679); whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/832,531, filedApr. 11, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,055); which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/212,121, filed Dec.15, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,218); which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/879,445, filed Jun. 20, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No.5,848,651); which is a continuation-in-part of international applicationPCT/US97/01025, filed Jan. 23, 1997; and a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/590,411, filed Jan. 23, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No.5,775,430).

The entirety of each of the foregoing patents and patent applications ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Portable fire extinguishers are stationed for use in case of a fire inall manner of environments. Typically, the fire extinguishers are placedin standby condition at a system of fire extinguisher stations foundthroughout a facility at locations selected for reasonably easy accessin a fire emergency. Standards and procedures for periodic inspection offire extinguishers at fire extinguisher stations are set forth by theNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in “NFPA 10 Standard forPortable Fire Extinguishers” (1998 Edition), the complete disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference. In its relevant portion(§4-3.2), NFPA 10 sets forth the elements of the inspection of fireextinguishers and fire extinguisher stations required to take place atregular intervals, e.g., approximately every thirty days, as follows:

-   -   4-3.2 Procedures Periodic inspection of fire extinguishers shall        include a check of at least the following items:        -   (a) Location in designated place        -   (b) No obstruction to access or visibility        -   (c) Operating instructions on nameplate legible and facing            outward        -   (d) Safety seals and tamper indicators not broken or missing        -   (e) Fullness determined by weighing or “hefting”        -   (f) Examination for obvious physical damage, corrosion,            leakage, or clogged nozzle        -   (g) Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable            range or position        -   (h) Condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle            checked (for wheeled units) [not relevant]        -   (i) HMIS [“hazardous materials identification systems”]            label in place

Typically, these inspections are performed manually, and inspection offire extinguishers at a system of fire extinguisher stations locatedthroughout a facility, e.g., such as a manufacturing plant or an officecomplex, or throughout an institution, e.g., such as a school campus ora hospital, may occupy one or more employees on a full time basis.Procedures for more frequent inspections are generally considered costprohibitive, even where it is recognized that a problem of numbers ofmissing or non-functioning fire extinguishers may not be addressed fordays or even weeks at a time, even where manpower may otherwise beavailable.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for remoteinspection of a portable tank such as a fire extinguisher at one or morefire extinguisher stations includes: a fire extinguisher gauge mountedto a portable fire extinguisher comprising a fire extinguisher tankdefining a volume containing fire extinguishing material and disposed incommunication with the volume for detection and display of pressurecondition of the fire extinguishing material contained within the volumeof the fire extinguisher tank; a docking station mounted in the vicinityof and in communication with the fire extinguisher; and an electroniccircuit disposed in communication with the fire extinguisher and withthe docking station and adapted to signal to a remote central stationupon detection of predetermined conditions comprising at least onepredetermined internal condition, e.g., an out-of-range pressurecondition of fire extinguishing material contained within the volume ofthe fire extinguisher tank of the fire extinguisher at the fireextinguisher station, and a detector therefore, and at least onepredetermined external condition, e.g., lack of presence of a fireextinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station,and a detector therefore, and/or presence of an obstruction to viewingof or access to the fire extinguisher station, and a detector therefore.

Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include adetector for movement (other than removal) of the fire extinguisherrelative to its installed position at the fire extinguisher station todislodge engagement of the tether.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for remoteinspection of portable fire extinguishers at one or a system of fireextinguisher stations includes: a fire extinguisher gauge mounted to aportable fire extinguisher comprising a fire extinguisher tank defininga volume containing fire extinguishing material and disposed incommunication with the volume for detection and display of pressurecondition of the fire extinguishing material contained within the volumeof the fire extinguisher tank; a docking station mounted in the vicinityof and in communication with the fire extinguisher; and an electroniccircuit disposed in communication with the fire extinguisher and thedocking station and adapted to signal to a remote central station upondetection of predetermined conditions comprising at least onepredetermined internal condition, e.g., an out-of-range pressurecondition of fire extinguishing material contained within the volume ofthe fire extinguisher tank of the fire extinguisher at the fireextinguisher station, and the at least one predetermined externalcondition, e.g., lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in itsinstalled position at the fire extinguisher station and/or presence ofan obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher station.

Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one ormore of the following additional features. The electronic circuitincludes at least one detector for the at least one predeterminedinternal condition, the at least one detector for the at least onepredetermined internal condition being adapted to initiate a signal tothe remote central station upon detection of the at least onepredetermined internal condition. Preferably, the at least one detectorfor the at least one predetermined internal condition includes the fireextinguisher gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition offire extinguishing material contained within the volume of the fireextinguisher tank at the fire extinguisher station. More preferably, thefire extinguisher gauge includes a gauge pointer and a gauge scale, thegauge pointer being moveable relative to the gauge scale for indicationof pressure, and the apparatus further includes a magnet mounted to thegauge pointer and at least one sensor, e.g., a Reed switch responsive toproximity of the magnet as the tank approaches an out-of-range pressurecondition. Preferably, the out-of-range pressure condition includes alow-pressure condition and/or a high-pressure condition, and the atleast one sensor includes at least one Reed switch positioned to detectthe low-pressure condition and/or at least one Reed switch positioned todetect the high-pressure condition. The Reed switch is mounted generallyin a plane of the gauge scale, e.g., at a rear surface of the gaugescale. The electronic circuit includes at least one detector for the atleast one predetermined external condition, the detector being adaptedto initiate a signal to the remote central station upon detection of theat least one predetermined external condition. Preferably, the at leastone predetermined external condition includes movement and/or removal ofthe fire extinguisher relative to its installed position at the fireextinguisher station. The at least one predetermined external conditionincludes presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fireextinguisher station. The obstruction is disposed within a range ofabout 6 inches to about 10 feet from the fire extinguisher station. Theat least one detector for the at least one predetermined externalcondition includes a proximity sensor, e.g., comprising a sound waveemitter and a sound wave detector. Preferably, the proximity sensorincludes an ultrasonic transducer. The docking station includes at leastone detector for the at least one predetermined external conditioncomprising an electronic tether engaged and in electronic communicationbetween the docking station and the fire extinguisher, and movement ofthe fire extinguisher relative to its installed position at the fireextinguisher station dislodges engagement of the tether and severselectronic communication, to initiate a signal to the remote centralstation indicative of the at least one predetermined external conditioncomprising lack of presence of the fire extinguisher in its installedposition at the fire extinguisher station. Preferably, movement of thefire extinguisher relative to its installed position at the fireextinguisher station to dislodge engagement of the tether includesremoval of the fire extinguisher from its installed position. The atleast one predetermined external condition includes at least lack ofpresence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fireextinguisher station and presence of an obstruction to viewing of oraccess to the fire extinguisher station. The at least one detector fordetecting the at least one predetermined internal condition includes thefire extinguisher gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressurecondition of fire extinguishing material contained within the volume ofthe fire extinguisher tank of the fire extinguisher at the fireextinguisher station. The at least one detector for the at least onepredetermined external condition includes a proximity sensor. Thedocking station includes at least one detector for the at least onepredetermined external condition comprising an electronic tether engagedand in electronic communication between the docking station and the fireextinguisher, and movement of the fire extinguisher relative to itsinstalled position at the fire extinguisher station dislodges engagementof the tether and severs electronic communication, to initiate a signalto the remote central station indicative of the at least onepredetermined external condition comprising lack of presence of the fireextinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station.The electronic circuit includes male and female electrical/communicationconnector elements cooperatively defined by the fire extinguisher andthe docking station. The apparatus for remote inspection furtherincludes a bracket for mounting the fire extinguisher to a support andpositioning the fire extinguisher relative to the docking station in aninstalled position for cooperative mating engagement of the male andfemale electrical/communication connector elements. The electroniccircuit is further adapted to issue a signal to the remote centralstation and to receive a signal from the remote central station. Theelectronic circuit includes an electronic signal means and theelectronic circuit is adapted to issue an electronic signal. Theelectronic circuit includes an electronic signal receiver for receivingan electronic signal from the remote central station source. Theelectronic circuit is adapted to issue an audio signal. The electroniccircuit includes an RF antenna and RF signal means, and the electroniccircuit is adapted to issue an RF signal. The electronic circuitincludes an RF signal receiver for receiving an RF signal from theremote central station. The fire extinguisher tank further defines afire extinguisher tank outlet; the at least one portable fireextinguisher further includes a fire extinguisher valve assembly mountedat the fire extinguisher tank outlet; and the fire extinguisher valveassembly includes: a fire extinguisher valve housing, a fireextinguisher valve disposed relative to the fire extinguisher tankoutlet for metering release of the fire extinguishing material from thevolume, and a fire extinguisher valve trigger mounted for movement ofthe fire extinguisher valve between a first position for containing thefire extinguishing material within the volume and a second position formetering release of the fire extinguishing material.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for remoteinspection of portable fire extinguishers at one or a system of fireextinguisher stations includes: means for detecting lack of presence ofa fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisherstation; means for detecting out-of-range pressure of contents of thefire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; means for detectingan obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at thefire extinguisher station; and means for signaling inspection reportinformation from the fire extinguisher station to a remote centralstation.

Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include thefollowing additional feature. The apparatus for remote inspectionfurther includes means for maintaining a record of inspection reportinformation for the fire extinguisher station or system of fireextinguisher stations.

The invention thus provides an apparatus for remote inspection of fireextinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations,permitting at least more frequent, and, if desired, continuous,monitoring and inspection of fire extinguishers at fire extinguisherstations. The apparatus for remote inspection of the invention thusmakes it possible to meet, or even to far exceed, all applicablerequirements of NFPA 10, typically at a comparable, or even a reduced,cost, as follows:

-   -   4-3.2 Procedures Periodic inspection of fire extinguishers shall        include a check of at least the following items:        -   (a) Location in designated place: The apparatus of the            invention for remote inspection of fire extinguishers and            fire extinguisher stations communicates to a central station            and confirms the presence of a fire extinguisher at each            fire extinguisher station (surveillance 24 hours per day, if            desired).        -   (b) No obstruction to access or visibility: The apparatus of            the invention for remote inspection of fire extinguishers            and fire extinguisher stations indicates obstructions by            sensing objects, e.g., from about 6 inches to about 10 feet,            in front of the monitored fire extinguisher station            (surveillance 24 hours per day, if desired).        -   (c) Operating instructions on nameplate legible and facing            outward: Once a fire extinguisher is installed at the fire            extinguisher station by a fire extinguisher professional,            the presence of the fire extinguisher is monitored by the            apparatus of the invention for remote inspection of fire            extinguishers and fire extinguisher stations. Monitoring is            by means of an electronic tether that separates if the fire            extinguisher is rotated, tampered with, or removed from its            position at the fire extinguisher station, by sending a            signal to the central station indicating that the fire            extinguisher has been moved (surveillance 24 hours per day,            if desired).        -   (d) Safety seals and tamper indicators not broken or            missing: Safety seals and tamper indicators are a concern if            there is a discharge of the fire extinguisher. The apparatus            of the invention for remote inspection of fire extinguishers            and fire extinguisher stations senses if the fire            extinguisher is moved from the fire extinguisher station. It            also electronically monitors pressure of the fire            extinguisher tank contents, so if there is a discharge, the            lower pressure resulting from the discharge is detected and            reported to the central station (surveillance 24 hours per            day, if desired).        -   (e) Fullness determined by weighing or “hefting”: Once a            fire extinguisher is installed by a fire extinguisher            professional, the electronic tether of the apparatus of the            invention for remote inspection of fire extinguishers and            fire extinguisher stations indicates if the fire            extinguisher is moved at or dislodged from its original            installed position at the fire extinguisher station            (surveillance 24 hours per day, if desired).        -   (f) Examination for obvious physical damage, corrosion,            leakage, or clogged nozzle: Leakage is indicated by the            apparatus of the invention for remote inspection of fire            extinguishers and fire extinguisher stations through            electronic monitoring of pressure by means of the pressure            gauge of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher            station. A clogged nozzle results only from a discharge,            which is detected from a loss of pressure (via electronic            monitoring of pressure via the fire extinguisher pressure            gauge) and reported to the central station through the            remote inspection apparatus. Corrosion, which occurs slowly,            is detected during the annual physical inspection. The            remote inspection apparatus software may be programmed to            issue a signal to the central station when the annual            physical inspection is due, and it may also be programmed to            issue notices and reminders for other types of maintenance,            as required.        -   (g) Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable            range or position: The apparatus of the invention for remote            inspection of fire extinguishers and fire extinguisher            stations electronically monitors the internal pressure of            the contents of the fire extinguisher, as indicated by the            pressure gauge, and reports to the central station if the            pressure is not within the predetermined range (surveillance            24 hours per day, if desired).        -   (h) Condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle            checked (for wheeled units): Not applicable.        -   (i) HMIS label in place: Once a fire extinguisher is            installed at a fire extinguisher station by a fire            extinguisher professional, the fire extinguisher is            monitored through the electronic tether of the apparatus of            the invention for remote inspection of fire extinguishers            and fire extinguisher stations, which is designed to            separate and issue a signal if the fire extinguisher is            rotated, tampered with, or removed from its position            (surveillance 24 hours per day, if desired).

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of an apparatus of the inventionfor remote inspection of fire extinguishers at a system of fireextinguisher stations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fire extinguisher mounted at a fireextinguisher station for remote inspection according to the invention;and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fire extinguisher mounted at anotherfire extinguisher station for remote inspection according to theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a fire extinguisher at a fireextinguisher station in a remote inspection apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the fire extinguisher valveassembly of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the fire extinguisher valveassembly of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the fire extinguisher valve assembly ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view of the valve gauge housingand docking station, with the interconnecting electronics andcommunications tether; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are front and rear views, respectively, of the valvegauge and valve gauge scale within the valve gauge housing of the fireextinguisher of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 11, 11 a, and 11 b are a block diagram of the electronics andcommunications circuit for one embodiment of a remote inspectionapparatus of the invention.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 of the invention for remoteinspection of portable fire extinguishers 12 installed at one or asystem 14 of fire extinguisher stations 16 includes means 18 fordetecting lack of presence of a fire extinguisher 12 in its installedposition at a fire extinguisher station 16, means 20 for detectingout-of-range pressure of the contents of a fire extinguisher 12 at afire extinguisher station 16, means 22 for detecting an obstruction toviewing of or access to a fire extinguisher station 16, and means 24 fortransmission of inspection report information for each of the fireextinguisher stations 16 to a remote central station 26. The apparatus10 further includes means 28 for maintaining a record of inspectionreport information.

As an example of a remote inspection apparatus 10 of the invention, inFIG. 2, a portable fire extinguisher 12 is shown mounted to a wall,post, or other support surface, W, at a fire extinguisher station 16 ina system of fire extinguisher stations 14, and in FIG. 3, anotherportable fire extinguisher 12 is shown mounted within a wall box orcabinet, C, at another fire extinguisher station 16 in the system offire extinguisher stations 14. The fire extinguisher 12 at each fireextinguisher station 16 is releasably connected to a docking station 30by an electronics and communications tether 32, as will be describedmore fully below.

Referring next to FIGS. 4-7, a portable fire extinguisher 12 typicallyincludes a fire extinguisher tank 34 containing a fire extinguishingmaterial, e.g., water, dry chemical or gas, and a fire extinguishervalve assembly 36 (e.g. as available from MIJA Industries Inc., ofRockland, Mass.) mounted to releasably secure a tank opening 38. Thevalve assembly 36 includes a valve assembly body 40, e.g., an integralbody formed of molded plastic, a trigger mechanism 42 for opening avalve 44 for release of fire extinguishing material, typically through anozzle 46 (and, optionally, through a hose 48) provided to direct thereleased material in a desired direction, e.g., at the base of a flame.The valve assembly 36 further includes a gauge 50 (e.g., a Bourdoncoiled tubing gauge of the type also available from MIJA IndustriesInc.) to provide indication of the pressure status of fire extinguishingmaterial within the fire extinguisher tank 34. The valve assembly body40, e.g., in a rear surface 52 of the valve gauge housing 54, defines afemale socket 56 receiving a male connector element 58 at the free end60 of the tether 32 in cooperative, releasable engagement forelectronics and/or communications connection between the docking station30 and the portable fire extinguisher(s) 12 at each of the fireextinguisher stations 16, as will be described more fully below.

Referring next to FIGS. 8-10, as mentioned above, in the preferredembodiment, the valve gauge 50 is a Bourdon gauge formed of a coiledtubing 62, with an open inner end 64 in communication with the volume ofthe fire extinguisher tank 34, and a closed, outer end 66 formed into agauge pointer 68, e.g., as described in Holden U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,056and U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,517, the complete disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. After calibration, the gauge pointer68 moves (by expansion and contraction of the coiled tubing 62 inresponse to tank volume pressure) relative to a gauge scale 70 toindicate pressure of the fire extinguishing material contained withinthe tank volume. According to the invention, the apparatus 10 includes amagnet 72 mounted to gauge pointer 68, and a Hall Effect sensor 74mounted generally in a plane, G, of the gauge scale 70, e.g., at therear surface 76 of the gauge scale 70, at least at the region of thegauge scale 70 corresponding to the low pressure limit 78 of thepredetermined range of pressure, P. In a preferred embodiment (shown), asecond Hall Effect sensor 75 is also located at the rear surface 76 ofthe gauge scale 70, but in a region of the gauge scale 70 correspondingto the predetermined upper pressure limit 79. Each Hall Effect sensor74, 75 is adapted to respond to proximity of the magnet 72 mounted tothe gauge pointer 68 (as the magnet 72 and gauge pointer 68 approach thelow pressure limit 78 or the high pressure limit 79) by initiating asignal, through the male/female connection 80 and tether 32, to thedocking station 30 and remote central station 26, indicative ofout-of-range (low or high) pressure of the fire extinguishing materialcontained within the tank volume.

While Hall Effect sensors are described above as an exemplary embodimentof sensors that can detect out-of-range conditions for a gauge, it willbe understood that numerous other types of sensors are known in the artthat may be suitably adapted to use with the systems and methodsdescribed herein. For example, a Reed switch may similarly cooperatewith a fixed magnet on a gauge pointer to detect an out-of-rangecondition for a tank based upon physical movement of the gauge pointer(or any other mechanical coupling that responds to pressure within thetank) into proximity with a position indicating an out-of-rangecondition. Still more generally, the sensors 74 and 75 can includecapacitive sensors, inductive sensors, mechanical sensors,microelectro-mechanical (MEMS) devices, optical sensors (includingcharge-coupled devices (“CCD”) or complementary metal-oxidesemiconductors (“CMOS”) functioning as light detectors, image detectors,or the like), photoelectric sensors, piezoelectric sensors,piezoresistive sensors, Reed switches, resistive sensors, thermalconductive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and any combination of theforegoing, as well as any other proximity sensor operable to detect thepresence of the gauge pointer 68 in the immediate vicinity of theproximity sensor. This may include a variety of sensors that detectout-of-range conditions based upon a mechanical or similar gauge. Thismay also or instead include a variety of sensors that directly sensepressure and produce continuous or intermittent signals indicative ofeither pressure or an out-of-range condition for pressure. Thus it willbe appreciated that references to “Hall Effect Sensors” in this documentare intended to illustrate one possible sensor and should not beunderstood to limit the invention or this disclosure to systems relyingon the Hall effect; instead, any sensor—including, but not limited tothose in this paragraph—may be used.

The use of a particular sensor may involve a compatible choice of gaugepointer 68 or other component of the valve gauge 50. A compatible gaugepointer 68 is one that has physical attributes sufficient to be detectedby the particular choice of sensor 74, 75. For example, when using aReed switch for sensors 74, 75, the gauge pointer 68 may have magneticproperties sufficient to activate the switch. In general, thecompatibility conditions between the sensors 74, 75 and the gaugepointer 68 depend on the particular choice of sensor. As anotherexample, an optical sensor and complementary optical source may bepositioned such that the gauge pointer 68 interrupts a beam of lightbetween the optical source and the optical sensor when the gauge pointer68 moves into an out-of-range position. In such embodiments, theselection of source and sensor may be made so that detection of theout-of-range position is not affected by ambient light conditions. Otherphysical phenomena using the various sensors described above maysimilarly be employed to sense an out-of-range condition, such asdetection based on capactive coupling, resistance, electrical circuitopening or closing, and so forth. It will also be appreciated that theout-of-range condition may vary according to a particular apparatus.Thus for example an out-of-range condition such as insufficient pressuremay be a different pressure for a medical oxygen tank than for achemical fire extinguisher. All such variations that would be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within thescope of this disclosure.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the fire extinguisher 12 may be removablymounted on a wall hanger or bracket 82 fixedly secured to a wall orother support surface, W. The bracket 82 has a pair of opposed arms 84that releasably engage about the neck region 86 of the fire extinguishertank 34, generally below the valve assembly body 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the docking station 30 is fixedlymounted to the wall, W, at a predetermined position spaced generallyabove the bracket 82. Referring also to FIG. 8, the docking station 30consists of a housing 88 containing a sonar module 90 (FIG. 11) anddefining spaced apertures or windows 92 through which the module 90emits and receives ultrasonic signals. (In the embodiment of FIG. 3,where the docking station 30 is disposed with a wall cabinet, C, thesonar module 90 is connected, e.g., by cable 110, to apertures orwindows 112 in the outer surface of the cabinet door 114.) Also,disposed within the docking station housing 88 is an electronic andcommunications circuit 94, as described more fully below with referenceto FIG. 11. Extending generally from the base of the docketing stationhousing 88 is the electronics and communications tether 32 terminatingin a male connector element 58 sized and configured to be receivedwithin the female electronics and communications socket 56 defined inthe rear surface 52 of the valve gauge housing 54. The length of thetether 32, and the tenacity of engagement of the male connector element58 within the female socket 56 at the connection 80, are preferablyselected so that any significant movement of the fire extinguisher 12relative to its installed position, i.e., the position in which it isplaced at installation by a fire extinguisher professional, whetherremoval, or, in a preferred embodiment, merely upon rotation withmovement in excess of a predetermined threshold value, will result indislodgement of the male connector element 58 from the female socket 56,initiating a signal to the remote central station 26, as discussed morefully below. The docking station 30 may be powered by alternatingcurrent, e.g., by a hardwire connection 96 into the facility electricalsupply, or it may be powered by direct current, e.g., by a battery 98within the docking station housing 88. If powered by alternatingcurrent, an auxiliary power supply, e.g., in the form of battery 98, maybe provided in case of power outage.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the remote inspection apparatus 10 includes anelectronics and communications circuit 94, e.g., disposed primarilywithin the docking station 30, for initiating signals to the remotecentral station 26 upon detection of predetermined internal and/orpredetermined external conditions. For example, referring again to FIG.1, in the preferred embodiment, the circuit 94 issues a signal 100 or asignal 102 upon detection of a predetermined external condition, e.g.,lack of presence of the fire extinguisher 12 at its installed positionat the fire extinguisher station 16, when the fire extinguisher 12 isremoved from, or moved within, the bracket arms 84, thereby disengagingthe male connector element 58 of the docketing station tether 32 fromthe female socket 56 of the fire extinguisher 12, and disrupting theclosed connection 80 (signal 100), or an obstruction to viewing of oraccess to a fire extinguisher station 16 (signal 102). The circuit 94also issues a signal 104 upon detection of a predetermined internalcondition, e.g., existence of an out-of-range, e.g., low, pressurecondition of the fire extinguishing material contained within the fireextinguisher tank 34.

According to one embodiment, the signals 100, 104 are communicated viathe electronics and communications connection 80 of the male connectorelement 58 of the docking station tether 32 with the female socket 56 ofthe fire extinguisher 12 to electronics and communications circuit 94within docking station 30. The signal 100 indicating lack of presence ofthe fire extinguisher 12 in its installed position at the fireextinguisher station 16 and signal 104 indicating that pressure of thefire extinguishing material in the fire extinguisher tank 34 is belowthe predetermined minimum pressure level 78, e.g., indicative of adischarge, leak or other malfunction (or, in an embodiment with a pairof Hall Effect sensors 74, 75, above a predetermined maximum pressurelevel 79) are received by a connection and termination strip processcontrol board 116 and transmitted via hardwire connection 118 to theremote central station 26. In this embodiment, the tether 32 includes atwo wire connection in normally closed state, signaling the presence ofthe fire extinguisher 12, and a two wire connection in normally openstate that signals that pressure in the fire extinguisher tank is abovethe predetermined minimum level 78. The signals are received andtransmitted over the hardwire connection 118. However, it iscontemplated that, in some embodiments, signals 100, 102, 104 may becommunicated, e.g., via RF (or other) wireless communication circuitryvia antennae 120 (FIG. 1) to an RF monitoring system receiver, e.g., atthe remote central station 26, or simultaneously, via both hardwire andwireless, to a remote central station 26, or other monitoring station.As mentioned above, it is also contemplated that the remote inspectionapparatus 10 may be powered by alternating current, e.g., by connection96 (FIG. 8) to the facility electric supply system or by direct current,e.g. by battery 98 (FIG. 8), or by both, with the battery provided asauxiliary power in case the primary electrical service is disrupted.

Briefly, in summary, in a preferred embodiment, the means 18 fordetecting the lack of presence of a fire extinguisher 12 in itsinstalled position (i.e., as installed by a fire extinguisherprofessional) at a fire extinguisher station 16 includes an electronicsand communications tether 32 extending from a docking station 30, with amale connector element 58 at its free end 60 releasably engaged in afemale socket 56 defined by the fire extinguisher valve gauge housing54. When the fire extinguisher 12 is removed, or, in the preferredembodiment, moved, from its installed position, the male connectorelement 58 at the free end 60 of the tether 32 is disengaged from thesocket 56, causing issue of a signal to the remote central station 26.The means 20 for detecting out-of-range pressure includes a magnet 72mounted to the pressure gauge pointer 68 and one or, more preferably, apair of Hall Effect sensors 74, 75 mounted, e.g., to a rear surface 76of the valve gauge scale 70, whereby, as the gauge pointer 68 approacheseither the lower limit 78 or the upper limit 79 of its predeterminedrange of pressure, P, of fire extinguishing material within the tankvolume, the associated Hall Effect sensor 74, 75, respectively, istriggered by proximity of the magnet 72 to issue a signal through theelectronics and communications tether 32 to the docking station 30. Anout-of-range pressure signal is then transmitted to the remote centralstation 26. The means 22 for detecting an obstruction to viewing of oraccess to a fire extinguisher 12 at a fire extinguisher station 16includes a sonar module 90 mounted within (FIG. 2), or mounted inconnection to (FIG. 3), the docking station 30. The sonar module 90periodically emits an ultrasonic signal and detects when the signal isreturned (reflected) by an obstruction within a predetermined region orrange, e.g., from about 6 inches to about 10 feet from the dockingstation 30. Upon detection of an obstruction, a signal is issued to theremote central station 26.

The remote inspection information is communicated to means 28, e.g., acomputer 106 (FIG. 1) located at the remote central station 26, or otherlocation, where the information is compiled and stored for displayand/or print-out in the form of periodic inspection report, e.g., totrigger corrective action.

In operation of a remote inspection apparatus 10 of the invention, aportable fire extinguisher 12 is releasably mounted, e.g., upon abracket 82 fixedly secured to wall or other support surface, W (FIG. 2),or within a wall cabinet, C (FIG. 3), the bracket 82 having a pair ofopposed arms 84 that releasably engage about the neck region 86 of thefire extinguisher tank 34, generally below the valve assembly body 40. Afire extinguisher professional, after inspection of the fireextinguisher 12 for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage orclogged nozzle in compliance with NFPA 10, §4-3.2(f), positions theportable fire extinguisher 12 so that the operating instructions on thefire extinguisher nameplate are legible and facing outward as requiredby NFPA 10, §4-3.2(c), and with its HMIS label in place as required byNFPA 10, §4-3.2(j). The male connector element 58 of the electronics andcommunications tether 32 is inserted into the female socket 56 definedby the valve gauge housing 54 to connect the docking station 30 and thefire extinguisher 12. As mentioned above, the length of the tether 32 ispreferably predetermined so that any substantial movement of the fireextinguisher 12 relative to the docket station 30, whether removal orrotation in the bracket 82, dislodges the male connector element 58 ofthe tether 32 from the socket 56, with a resulting signal to the remotecentral station 26 indicating that the fire extinguisher 12 has beenmoved from its installed position at the fire extinguisher station 16(i.e., lack of presence) as required by NFPA 10, §4-3.2(a).

If the contents of the fire extinguisher tank 34 reach a predeterminedlow pressure limit 78, the magnet 72 mounted to the gauge pointer 68 atthe end of the Bourdon gauge coiled tubing 62 is brought into range ofthe Hall Effect sensor 74 mounted unobtrusively to the rear surface 76of the valve gauge scale 70. The proximity of the magnet 72 causes theHall Effect sensor 74 to trigger, sending a signal indicative of theout-of-range pressure condition of the fire extinguisher contentsthrough the electronics and communications tether 32 to the dockingstation 30. A low pressure signal will thus issue, e.g., if there is afire extinguisher discharge resulting in loss of fullness and reductionin weight as required by NFPA 10, §4-3.2(e), including from tampering,resulting in broken or missing safety seals or tamper indicators asrequired by NFPA 10, §4-3.2(d), possibly resulting in a clogged nozzleas required by NFPA 10, §4-3.2(f). Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a pairof Hall Effect sensors 74, 75 may be positioned at the rear surface 76of the valve gauge scale 70 in the regions of both the low pressurelimit 78 and the high pressure limit 79 of the predetermined pressurerange, P, of the fire extinguisher contents, to provide a signal if thepressure passes outside of the operable range as required by NFPA 10,§4-3.2(g).

The sonar module 90 contained within the docking station 30 periodicallyemits an ultrasonic signal. The docking station 30 detects any return(reflected) signal indicative of the presence of an obstruction, e.g.,to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher station 16, within apredetermined range, e.g., about 6 inches to about 10 feet from thedocking station 30, to issue a signal indicative of the presence of anobstruction as required by NFPA 10, §4-3.2(b).

The remote inspection apparatus 10 of the invention thus providesprotection that meets or exceeds the requirements of NFPA 10, §4-3.2.Surveillance can be provided 24 hours per day, if desired.

The remote central station 26 may also send signals 122 to the fireextinguisher stations 16 to periodically check for these, and/or other,predetermined internal and external conditions.

Other means may be employed for developing an electronic signal of anout-of-range position of the pressure gauge needle or indicator. Forexample, an optical sensor has advantages similar to those of the HallEffect sensors 74, 75, i.e., low cost and simplicity, with no additionalmodulation circuitry required to develop the measured quantity, butoptical sensors typically must be shielded from extraneous light. HallEffect sensors have a further advantage of being generally impervious toexternal light (which can vary according to lighting conditions);however, Hall Effect sensors can be affected by magnetic fields. BothHall Effect and optical sensors can be operated in either digital mode,for detecting when the gauge pointer moves through a discrete arc ofmotion, or in linear mode, if a continuously variable measure or signalis desired (not typically required for this application). Alternatively,a pressure signal might be generated by electronic sensing, withoutvisual indication, or by sensing of the position of the needle body orthe Bourdon gauge coiled tubing, or by use of a different form ofpressure sensor.

In the preferred embodiment, a non-contact ultrasonic sensor (sonarmodule 90) is employed for detecting the presence of an obstruction.Alternatively, a non-contact optical sensor may be employed. Both havesensitivity over wide ranges of distances (e.g., about 6 inches to about10 feet, or other ranges as may be dictated, e.g., by environmentalconditions). As an obstruction may move slowly, or may be relativelystationary, it may not be necessary to have the sensor active at alltimes; periodic sampling, e.g., once per hour, may be sufficient. On theother hand, the sonar module 90 of the docking station 30 may also beutilized as a proximity or motion sensor, e.g., in a security system,e.g., to issue a signal to a remote central station 26 and/or to soundan alarm when movement is detected in the vicinity of a fireextinguisher station 16 while a building is secured, e.g., afterbusiness hours or during weekends or vacations. In this case, continuousoperation may be dictated, at least during periods when the securitysystem is active. Other features and characteristics that may beoptimally employed, as desired, include: wide angle and narrow anglesensitivity, digital output (Is there an obstruction or not?), and/oranalog output (e.g., How large an obstruction? and How far away from thedocking station?).

In the preferred embodiment, the electronics and communications tether32 is used to determine the lack of presence of the fire extinguisher 12in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station 16. In thepreferred circuit design, an A-to-D converter in the docking stationmicroprocessor discriminates between a valid gauge sensor signal,indicating a fire extinguisher 12 is present, and a signal indicating amissing fire extinguisher (or a disconnected tether 32). Preferably, thetether 32 is sufficiently short (relative to the distance from thedocketing station 30 to the mounted fire extinguisher 12) so that anysignificant displacement of the fire extinguisher 12 from its installedposition (either by rotation or movement in the bracket 82 or byremoval) will result in disconnection of the tether 32 from the fireextinguisher 12 and a subsequent change in voltage sensed at the dockingstation 30. The arrangement of the present invention has the furtheradvantage of requiring no additional power to sense the lack of presenceof a fire extinguisher 12. The following alternatives are all activesensors and thus require power: non-contact, such as optical devices, orcapacitive, inductive, and magnetic quantity devices in contact ornon-contact applications. In other applications, e.g., to decrease thenumber of false alarms, the length of the tether 32 may be selected tosignal only when the fire extinguisher 12 is removed from (and notmerely moved at) the fire extinguisher station 16. The tether 32 mayalso be used only for communications between the pressure gauge 50 andthe docking station 30, e.g., and not for detecting lack of presence (ormovement) of the fire extinguisher 12.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, other features that might be provided in connection with aremote inspection apparatus of the invention may include, in someinstances: an electronic circuit contained on a circuit board mounted tothe fire extinguisher valve assembly, e.g. beneath the gauge scale, andpowered, e.g., by battery disposed within the docking station, or withina compartment defined by the fire extinguisher valve assembly body. Thecircuit may optionally further include an electro luminescent lightpanel, e.g., mounted upon the face of the valve gauge scale. In someembodiments, the electronic circuit may include the valve gauge pointerand a contact located in a region upon the face surface of the gaugescale selected for inter-engagement of the contact and the gaugepointer, e.g., when the contents of the tank are at a low-pressurecondition. Interengagement of the gauge pointer and contact mayoptionally complete a circuit to illuminate the light panel, thereby togenerate a visual signal to passersby, warning of the low-pressurecondition of the fire extinguisher. In some embodiments, an electroniccircuit may include a flashing unit for intermittent illumination of thelight panel, thereby to better attract the attention of passersby, andalso to conserve battery life. The electronic circuit additionally orinstead may, in some embodiments, include a contact located in a regionselected for interengagement of the contact and the gauge pointer whenthe contents of the tank are at a high or overcharged pressurecondition. The electronic circuit may also include an audio signalingdevice, e.g., as part of the docking station, for emitting, e.g., abeeping sound, instead of or in addition to the visual signal. The audiosignal device may be triggered when the fire extinguisher is placed inuse, e.g., upon removal from the bracket. The audio signal may consistof a recorded information message, e.g., instructions for use of thefire extinguisher including the type of fire for which use isappropriate, e.g., paper, electrical, liquid, all types. The electroniccircuit may also include a battery condition sensor to actuate a visualand/or audio signal, e.g., at the remote central station, when a lowbattery condition is detected. The electronic circuit may also include alight sensor, e.g., of ambient light conditions, to actuate illuminationof the light panel in low or no light conditions, e.g., to signal thelocation of the fire extinguisher, or fire extinguisher station, atnight or upon loss of power to external lighting. The electronic circuitmay also include a sensor adapted to sense other local conditions, e.g.,smoke or fire, to actuate illumination of the light panel and/or audiosignal device when smoke or other indications of a fire are sensed,e.g., to signal the location of the fire extinguisher, or fireextinguisher station, when visibility is low. The electronic circuit mayinclude a timer set to actuate the visual and/or the audio signal aftera predetermined period of time, e.g., the recommended period betweeninspections, unless the timer is reset. The electronic circuit may beresponsive to a signal from an external source, e.g., a system of smokedetectors, another fire extinguisher or fire extinguisher station, asuppression system, or the like, to actuate the visual and/or the audiosignal. The electronic circuit may also include an encodedidentification specific to each fire extinguisher for receiving anddispatching signals or messages, e.g., of fire extinguisher condition orlocal status, via the electronics and communications connection with thedocking station and/or an internal RF antenna, identifiable as relatingto that fire extinguisher or fire extinguisher station, to the remotecentral station and/or to other elements of a home or facility securitysystem. The docking station may contain a circuit board programmed withthe protocols for certain alarms or signals relating to predeterminedinternal and external conditions, and may include a battery for primaryor auxiliary power.

A remote inspection apparatus of the invention may also be employed forremote inspection of multiple fire extinguishers at one or a system offire extinguisher stations.

Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. An apparatus for remote inspection of portable tanks, the apparatuscomprising: a portable tank defining a volume; a gauge disposed incommunication with the volume defined by the portable tank, the gaugedetecting and displaying a pressure condition of a content containedwithin the volume; at least one sensor that detects an out-of-rangepressure condition of the content contained within the volume based uponthe gauge; and an electronic circuit disposed in communication with thegauge and adapted to signal to a remote central station upon detectionof the out-of-range pressure condition by the at least one sensor. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more additionalsensors for detecting at least one predetermined condition other thanthe out-of-range pressure condition.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the at least one predetermined condition includes a lack ofpresence of a portable tank in its installed position
 4. The apparatusof claim 3, wherein the at least one predetermined condition includes anobstruction to viewing of or access to the portable tank.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a Reedswitch.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gauge includes a gaugepointer and a gauge scale, the gauge pointer having a magnet and thegauge pointer being moveable relative to the gauge scale for indicationof pressure, and wherein the at least one sensor includes a Reed switchresponsive to a proximity of the magnet as the portable tank approachesan out-of-range pressure condition.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe out-of-range pressure condition includes a low-pressure condition,the at least one Reed switch positioned to detect the low-pressurecondition.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the out-of-rangepressure condition includes a low-pressure condition and a high-pressurecondition, and the at least one sensor includes a first Reed switchpositioned to detect the low-pressure condition and a second Reed switchpositioned to detect the high-pressure condition.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the Reed switch is mounted generally in a plane of thegauge scale.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the Reed switch ismounted at a rear surface of the gauge scale.
 11. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the out-of-range pressure condition includes a low-pressurecondition.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the out-of-rangepressure condition includes a high-pressure condition.
 13. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes at least onedetector for at least one predetermined external condition, the at leastone detector for the at least one predetermined external condition beingadapted to initiate a signal to the remote central station upondetection of the at least one predetermined external condition.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one predetermined externalcondition includes movement of the portable tank relative to itsinstalled position.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at leastone predetermined external condition includes removal of the portabletank from its installed position.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe at least one predetermined external condition includes removal ofthe portable tank from its installed position.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one detector includes an electronictether engaged and in an electronic communication between the remotecentral station and the portable tank, and wherein a movement of theportable tank relative to its installed position dislodges engagement ofthe tether and severs the electronic communication.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the movement of the portable tank relative to itsinstalled position to dislodge engagement of the tether includes removalof the portable tank from its installed position.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes male and femaleelectrical/communication connector elements cooperatively definedbetween the portable tank and the remote central station.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, further comprising a bracket for mounting theportable tank to a support, the bracket adapted to position the portabletank in the installed position for cooperative mating engagement of themale and female electrical/communication connection elements.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable tank is a fire extinguisher.